Stellar Blade demo numbers impress, but will the hype convert to paying players?

Daily active user numbers for the Stellar Blade demo have more than doubled those seen for the FFVII Rebirth demo, but a launch performance matching FFVII is perhaps a best-case scenario.

[FPSRUSSIA]

Not Surprised the hype for this game is Crazy.

[Cacabunga]

Next gen cross over between Nier Bayonetta.. no one will say no to this ..

I hope it succeeds really good, it’ll prove that SP games and console exclusive will always be a major part of the console market..

[Obscure_Observer]

"Next gen cross over between Nier Bayonetta.. no one will say no to this .."

It´s not really next gen running on UE4

"I hope it succeeds really good, it’ll prove that SP games and console exclusive will always be a major part of the console market.."

It was supposed to be a multi-platform game. But Sony paid to keep both Xbox and PC gamers off from it.

[ravens52]

🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣
"It's not really next gen running on UE4"
This is just a dumb statement. You Xbots are really gonna try and push this narrative huh? Need to cling on to something.

[outsider1624]

"It was supposed to be a multi-platform game. But Sony paid to keep both Xbox and PC gamers off from it."

Where was this statement when Ms bought Bethesda and Activision?

[MrBaskerville]

Not really Bayonetta tbh. More like a cross between a Souls title and Nier. Expected it to be a bit more fast paced than it actually is. Is faster than souls, but still kinda slow ane methodical compared to a Bayonetta styled game.

[Demetrius]

I agree

[MrDead]

@obsure

From interview with Director Hyung-Tae Kim and Technical Director Dongi Lee "Initially intended to be a "small-scale" project, the game received a significant boost through the partnership with Sony. Sony provided them with "extensive support, including full localization, marketing, full QA testing, and tool sharing from other Sony studios."

Evil Sony invested in a studio and made their games scope bigger, how dare they support an independent studio!

[jznrpg]

I want a new Nier.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Game is going to be amazing

[MrDead]

The game is hyped and from what I've seen is very good, but I'm not surprised as it's free.

I think I'll have some time to wait before it comes to PC and I get to play, but congrats to the devs on what looks to be a Stellar game.

[Obscure_Observer]

"I think I'll have some time to wait before it comes to PC and I get to play, but congrats to the devs on what looks to be a Stellar game."

No complaints on how Sony literally stole Stellar Blade from both PC and Xbox gamers, hu? No outage, no meltdowns, no inflammatory speeches, no smear campaigns.. nothing! Why I´m not surprised?

You can drop your act now. The last thing you care for is a healthy industry and fair competition.

It´s OK to keep gamers from getting access to third party games since Sony is the company doing.

[ravens52]

Maybe Sony should buy them, thatd be better right? Itd make it a non-issue huh?

[MrDead]

What's wrong little man, didn't you like my "Stella" joke

I love how you still think a game is the same as a Publisher. This is an independent studio, they choose who they work with and what's best for them. You are too blinded by fanboy rhetoric to see that spending $80 billion on purchasing multiple publishers and consolidating huge parts of the industry is very different from a single game.

Go try your gaslighting on someone else.

[jwillj2k4]

Just buy a PlayStation.

[VersusDMC]

All xbox has is bought 3rd party games. Mostly Bethesda games last year. Obsidian, Ninja theory and Bethesda this year.

But keep comparing making one game from a studio exclusive (Shift ups next game is multiplatform) to buying whole publishers where all their games are exclusive...

[ironmonkey]

Awww a mix of emotions, it's ok you'll figure it out one day.

[Elda]

You sound just like a broken record especially when you love writing & repeating what people have already written in their comments. LOL! Smh. Sony & Shift Up made a mutual deal together, just like MS/XB likes to make deals with other developers for exclusivity. Just buy a PS5 & get over it.

[Ironmike]

Because this toxic site dome good ppl here but there's some pure bellend on here here who just won't hear a word against sony as if sony gives a shit about them

[Obscure_Observer]

@MrDead

"I love how you still think a game is the same as a Publisher. This is an independent studio, they choose who they work with and what's best for them."

No more than I love your cynicism and double standards when you pretend that´s "just one game" when comes to Sony money-hatting to keep games from other platforms.

Rise of Ronin
FFXVI
FF Remake
FF Rebirth
Stellar Blade
Silent Hill 2
KOTOR
Forspoken

Those are just a few from the top of my head only on PS5. That´s far more games than Bethesda will be able to deliver for the whole generation and you know it. But go ahead and continue with your double standards and acting like Sony is the victim in all this.

@ravens52

"Maybe Sony should buy them, thatd be better right? Itd make it a non-issue huh?"

Absolutely. At least Sony would be paying for something they own, rather than "steal" from others.

Go ahead and look for me crying and cursing Sony over Insomniac or Bungie´s acquisition, or any other acquisition of studios made by them. You won´t find me.

@Elda

"LOL! Smh. Sony & Shift Up made a mutual deal together, just like MS/XB likes to make deals with other developers for exclusivity. Just buy a PS5 & get over it."

Lol

You don´t get it, do you? I was just calling my guy MrDead on his double standards. If I wanted Stellar Blade this bad, I would have a PS5 already.

Unlike some of you regarding Xbox exclusive games, I´m not rooting for that game to fail and flop just because it´s not on Xbox.

Have a great time with Stellar Blade and I hope you enjoy the heck of it. ;)

[MrDead]

@Obscure

Wow, sweating hard are we?

You seem to be upset with decisions made independently with Sony but defend MS's takeovers, you know the ones where MS spent $80 billion on publishers leading said publishers no choice on who to work with.

Third party is a choice not the same as spending $80 billion on removing that choice and industry consolidation. Hope that clears things up for you kid.

And please tell me why this a bad thing: From interview with Director Hyung-Tae Kim and Technical Director Dongi Lee "Initially intended to be a "small-scale" project, the game received a significant boost through the partnership with Sony. Sony provided them with "extensive support, including full localization, marketing, full QA testing, and tool sharing from other Sony studios."

I'll wait for your answer

[Crows90]

I'm sorry but YOU have a complaint?

Pick a stance damnit...either you have a problem with it and denounce MS for doing it...or you don't have a problem with it and apologize for pretending that you'd care that someone else doesn't have a problem with it.

[Einhander1972]

Have you ever considered that the real reason Sony has those games is because they can promise sales.

Multiplatform games are selling 80+% of their copies on PlayStation, which is why developers are questioning putting their games on the xbox platform at all.

Xbox is barely even relevant, that's why it's xbox that is throwing away the most money. They are paying to get games that PlayStation got exclusively for free, like Persona and Yakuza and Final Fantasy XIV and so many others.

[Obscure_Observer]

@MrDead

"Third party is a choice not the same as spending $80 billion on removing that choice and industry consolidation. Hope that clears things up for you kid."

What the hell are you talking about?

First: To be acquired for $8 cents or $80 Billion is also a *CHOICE*, genius. It doesn´t matter if you like or not!

Second: Nor ABK or Bethesda were acquired with a gun pointed at their faces, so just quit with your lying narrative and childsh fake drama.

"And please tell me why this a bad thing: From interview with Director Hyung-Tae Kim and Technical Director Dongi Lee "Initially intended to be a "small-scale" project, the game received a significant boost through the partnership with Sony. Sony provided them with "extensive support, including full localization, marketing, full QA testing, and tool sharing from other Sony studios."

I'll wait for your answer"

Oh I have you answer right here!

Be prepared though, given your double standards, I´m 100% positive that you ain´t gonna like it at all!

Pete Hines:

"First, let me say that we’re not making any landmark announcements or changes right now. As we’ve all shared, the expectation is that Bethesda Softworks and our studios will continue as we have in the past, just with more support and resources than we’ve ever had before."

"I’d also like to thank Phil Spencer and all the folks at Xbox and Microsoft who have been such a pleasure to work with as we prepare for this new chapter. The collaboration, mutual respect, and support they’ve shown to us during this process has been extraordinary. I’m pleased to continue the great relationships we’ve built together over the past few decades, first as partners and now as colleagues in the same company."

https://bethesda.net/en/art...

Phil Spencer:

"Truth be told, when the acquisition closed this game had a significantly earlier ship date than where we're actually launching in," Spencer stated, clarifying that he was referring to the November 2022 release date. Spencer added that he then "sat down with Todd and the team," and explained that they wanted to give this team "the time" to finish Starfield."

https://www.gamesradar.com/...

Starfield´s creator Todd Howard:

"When you're making something exclusive then the more you can focus," he told the BBC. "You know this is the hardware or the thing people are playing on, so the ability to focus on that always yields a better product. You do want people to be able to access it of course. But being with Xbox means there is an ease of access for us."

https://www.gamespot.com/ar...

You were saying?

"And please tell me why this a bad thing"

Help me out here. Show me some true character and give me some consistence here, my guy.

I'll wait for your answer

[Traecy]

Got to laugh at your hypocrisy. It's alright for XB to buy up established third party muliplatform publishers with gaming studios & keep some of their games off of existing platforms but when Sony gets second & third party exclusives your world comes crashing down & Sony is wrong. Pathetic.

[MrDead]

@Obscure

Wow, all that dribble and your still ignoring everything everyone's telling you.

"First: To be acquired for $8 cents or $80 Billion is also a *CHOICE*, genius. It doesn´t matter if you like or not!" Oops, someone doesn't know how the stock market works, ask your Mum or Dad.

Extremely simple answer, Bethesda no longer have a choice who to work with. Very different to this third party game, and the studio is still independent.

How's that for consistent?

Thank you very much and goodnight!... seriously though, you need to take a nap, you're very cranky.

[Charlieboy333]

Your observations are SERIOUSLY obscured

[raWfodog]

@Obscure

Where did you read that this game was coming to PC, XB? According to this article (link below), the game’s director says he always wanted it on a single platform:

“Stellar Blade's Game Director on why PlayStation 5 exclusive

"I felt that I wanted to release a high-quality game on a single platform," said Kim Hyung Tae, SHIFT UP CEO and Stellar Blade Director to Famitsu. "And so when it came to deciding on which platform, I determined PlayStation 5 would deliver the most optimal gameplay experience.”

Kim Hyung Tae went on to add that his history with gaming truly began with the release of the original PlayStation, and that it played a "large part in shaping my personal values about games".

https://esports.gg/news/gam...

[Barlos]

Wow, those grapes sure are sour eh?

[Barlos]

'It´s OK to keep gamers from getting access to third party games since Sony is the company doing.'

Funny that, because Microsoft spent the $80 billion to do exactly that. Wasn't Starfield supposed to be on PS5 too before MS bought Bethesda?

Anyway, I don't know what you're crying about, you'll soon have that epic 'masterpiece' Hellblade 2 to keep you occupied won't you? In all its next-gen UE5 30fps glory. All 8 hours of it.

Anyway, I'm off to play Rebirth for a bit. I know it's not next-gen because it's not UE5 but I'll do my best to try to enjoy it. Who knew that all a game needed to be next gen is to be on UE5. You learn something new every day...

[Obscure_Observer]

"Oops, someone doesn't know how the stock market works, ask your Mum or Dad."

https://www.gameinformer.co...

You were saying?

"Extremely simple answer, Bethesda no longer have a choice who to work with. Very different to this third party game, and the studio is still independent."

Different, yes. Less damaging to gamers? In that regard there´s no difference at all. At least, of course, what you´re telling me now is that´s OK to money hat studios to make third party games which were coming to your platform anyway, to not be available to gamers on other platforms.

Which one is it? Consistence, my guy.

"Thank you very much and goodnight!... seriously though, you need to take a nap, you're very cranky."

Thank you, MrDead. It´s always entertaining to have a little back and forth with you.

And don´t worry. I´m not cranky. I had a good a time and even a few laughs at moments.

See you in Shattered Space. Good night!

[MrDead]

...a link to an article about CD project red and that's the answer, are you ok? The studios under the publishers MS purchased how much choice in the matter do you think they had before the buyout? Come on this is so simple.

"Different, yes. Less damaging to gamers? In that regard there´s no difference at all. At least, of course, what you´re telling me now is that´s OK to money hat studios to make third party games which were coming to your platform anyway, to not be available to gamers on other platforms."

Spending $80 billion buying up entire multiplatform publishers then removing their choice on what platforms they can publish on and consolidating a huge part of the industry (which means Activision and all its studios, Bethesda and all its studios and Xbox and all their studios are no longer competing) is no more damaging to gamers then supporting and funding an independent third party studios game so they can increase the scope of the title...!?!

Just no, I mean...!?! are you really stating that or am I dreaming?

[Lightning77]

Love to see it. People are craving new types of experiences. I'll be playin day one.

[GoodGuy09]

Still think it's insane Sony invested and has put much faith in the game with their stance on censorship lol.

[shinoff2183]

Or maybe the censorship they've done has been kinda overblown.

[Knightofelemia]

From what I have played in the demo I like it

[Profchaos]

Game looks great and I'm impressed that's it's gaining such momentum I thought it might be a bit to niche this sort of imaginative fun and visually impressive game is what I personally want more of this generation

[CrimsonWing69]

This makes me happy and sad at the same time.

[TwoPicklesGood]

It’s a free demo…of course more people will be playing it especially right now

[Sonic1881]

They should have released the PC version along with the PS5 version on the same day. 🤔

[Obscure_Observer]

Tough luck. Sony paid Shift Up to keep Stellar Blade from other platforms.

[MrDead]

Evil Sony made them do this too!!!!!!! REEEEEE!!!

"French Youtuber and Author of la biographie d'AHL Julien Chièze recently interviewed Stellar Blade’s Director Hyung-Tae Kim and Technical Director Dongi Lee. In the video, Julien just informs viewers about the interview and it’s all in French, but thanks to Redditor Controlworst and a Resetera forum, they were able to translate and highlight key parts of the interview.

According to the translation and @Genki_JPN, Shuhei Yoshida, the former President of SIE Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment, renowned for his support for indie games, approached the developers at Shift Up. After playing the prototype, he was thoroughly impressed and facilitated a contract with PlayStation.

Initially intended to be a "small-scale" project, the game received a significant boost through the partnership with Sony. Sony provided them with "extensive support, including full localization, marketing, full QA testing, and tool sharing from other Sony studios." Stellar Blade was said to be inspired by "90’s anime."

Furthermore, the developers shared additional gameplay details about Stellar Blade, revealing that 60% of the gameplay focuses on action, while 40% is dedicated to the storyline and narrative elements. Initially, the game follows a linear progression, but upon reaching City Xion, it opens up, marking the beginning of the game's narrative journey.

Stellar Blade boasts over "20 boss fights," ranging from "humanoid" encounters to battles reminiscent of "Shadow of the Colossus." Additionally, players can customize their character with over 30 outfits, accessories like glasses, and various hairstyles, purely for aesthetic purposes without affecting gameplay."

Evil Sony making the games scope bigger, they are so wrong for doing this!!! REEEEEE!!!

[Elda]

Awww! MS bought multiplatform developers & publishers to keep some games off of other platforms. Guessing 2 can play that game.

[Charlieboy333]

It's already common knowledge the game would have been cancelled without Sony's assistance. Those Sony bastards helped make the game you see with their money and expertise.....how dare they be the ones that benefit!

[-Foxtrot]

I feel like it may be good but some journalists will shit on it for petty reasons

[MrNinosan]

This data, where does it actually come from?
There is no way to get hold of dau on PS5 or from Sony.
And if it is, then this analyst group have already proved Rebirth sold millions, if 2.21million dau is a case.

[Ironmike]

It probably fake news

[Lexreborn2]

That’s awesome, but I didn’t play the rebirth demo personally because I was avoiding all info on the game until released. I’m still playing FF7rebirth because I’ve been doing all the side quest before main story at chapter 11 and 90 hours in.

But stellar blade I’m ALSO looking to go in blind with when it drops. Mostly because I’m over media coverage and forum witch hunts on games lately. Enjoying games like how I did when I was a kid, simply because it looks fun and I want it

[ravens52]

Exactly

[Walalon]

I'm glad this game did great numbers on the demo! I'm gonna wait for the PC release(if they want more numbers they are gonna sell it on PC later on), if I have to wait a year.. it's ok. I still have high hopes for this game to be great and sell more than 1 million on Ps5 alone.

And with this article I know what it's gonna happen in 3 months. "Stellar Blade lose X% of player base in 3 months."

So predictable at this point lol

[slayernz]

What a bizarre comment about the game losing player base...its a single player game with a defined ending not a live service game.....so of course as people finish the story / get the platinum they will move on????

[Elda]

Of course. Most PS & Nintendo exclusives gain hype.

[TheSenorCheese]

People love it. Awesome.

[VincentVanBro]

Game looks great!

[Ironmike]

And ot not really next gen is silly comment as well game graphics are really good

[Christopher]

"FFVII Rebirth is based on an established classic with a deep-rooted fandom – plus, it is a sequel, rather than a standalone game. It is therefore unlikely that quite as many demo players were drawn simply by curiosity or hype, and conversion in that case is likely to be more predictable, and hearty. Stellar Blade, on the other hand, is a brand-new IP with no pre-existing fandom, making its performance a great deal more difficult to project."

[Solitariussaint]

I will be buying 2 physical copies of Stellar Babe!

[Ironmike]

That's dumbest thing I seen on here

[Skuletor]

It's actually common for collector's to buy two copies, one that they don't remove from the packaging and one they actually use but OK.

[Traecy]

Why is it dumb? Because it doesn't coincide with your narrative? The individual may have several reasons why they want to buy 2 copies, could be a copy for him & their significant other or a friend or family member. Your reply is just ridiculous..lol.

[slayernz]

I've seen a few comments like, "played the demo and it was awesome, absolutely loved it, will be buying it if it reviews well" ........which I find bizarre, you love the gameplay and not like a different game is going to be released lol

[Ironmike]

U don't know how reptive it could get for one u had small demo full game vould have issues it's happened loads times before that's y

[Einhander1972]

This whole thing is really dumb, just another attempt to downplay both FF and Stellar Blade because they are associated with PlayStation. We see this with every game now.

For the record, I didn't play the Rebirth Demo because I knew what it was going to be and I didn't want to spoil any of the actual game, just like I didn't watch any trailers.

I did play the Stellar Blade demo because I was simply curious how it would play

I'm sure this was the case for many people.

[Ironmike]

It got nothing to do with sony I own a ps5 I own rebirth great game its the hype this is getting g is not justified off a demo demo was great but u all like thus second coming it's a soulsite game with fit birds I seen nothing genre defying in that demo in fact the city ruins looked shit but like ronin if the combat is good this could a hit but it could also be a flop

[Einhander1972]

"I own a ps5"

Of course your comment starts with that..

[Hofstaderman]

Have not played the demo and I'm going I'm blind. Usual people crying that Sony took a title out of XBOX hands are being ridiculous as usual. They supported the development of the game and did not buy the studio. I expect Phil to release a statement along the lines of "Stellar Blade exclusivity benefits none" or some other tripe. Salty ahole.

[Einhander1972]

Phil: "we put our old games and some budget indie stuff on your console, now give us your brand new really good selling games, oh and put them on game pass so we can destroy the games sales on PlayStation too"

[Ironmike]

Einhander1972 I can give u my psn name if u want just to make u look stupid sent u message just so u know and if I add u u will indeed see what games I own on my ps5 iam j7st not a blind fanboy like u

[Nacho_Z]

Yes. There are several key things the game has going for it that have really captured interest and it'll sell loads. Seems pretty obvious.

[Ironmike]

Mt I agree the game looks like banger but if u over hype a game it generally leads to disappointment

[Nacho_Z]

I don't think it's overhyped, gameplay wise there are mixed opinions not so much about quality as about what kind of game it is. Some games just hit the nail smack on the head in terms of sales appeal and this is one of them imo.

[LoveSpuds]

I have preordered off the strength of the demo, I absolutely loved it, the gameplay was great and I absolutely loved the music.

[Ironmike]

Mt I think it be good like said demo was great but I learnt from past nor hype up a game to much because it blow up in ur face all I was trying to say was ppl act like its the second coming I don't see that I see a good game but its not really doing nothing g amazing g for me I could be massively wrong have been in the past with ronin I just on the fence about till seen somebody plsythrough a lot more than the demo I think they nailed the combat just want to see if rest game holds up

[LoveSpuds]

I can see how being misled by hype from a demo could happen dude, it's why I also very rarely preorder games.

In this instance though, I played the demo through twice and was still wanting more, it just really landed with me in respect of the gameplay and production design, I loved how it looked and sounded.

I think the devs did a great job with the demo, giving us a taste of gameplay from later in the game when you are more leveled up with more combat options.

As I said dude, I agree that often blindly giving in to hype can lead to disappointment, bit I do feel pretty confident in my decision this time around.

Have an awesome weekend👍

[JL2930]

With no first party games for a year, it's not surprising. People locked down to a single platform will take what they can get.

[YourMommySpoils]

These developers have really put allot of heart and soul into this game.

[Notsofast]

Stellar Blade demo was fire I already bought the deluxe edition The game is a mix of (game design style nier automata) (enemies devil may cry) and (gameplay combat wise Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice). demo got me hyped for it reminded me of the valkyries fights in GOD of War for the bosses

[Hugodastrevas]

I'm making my part!